John David Langford, 55
May 3, 1969 – April 27, 2025
TUPELO – John David Langford, after an all too brief purposed-filled life, entered the next realm from North Miss. Medical Center in Tupelo on Sunday, April 27, 2025. He was 55 years old. John was born on May 3, 1969 in Tupelo to the late James Floyd Langford and Margaret Inez Beene Langford. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1987 where he was a standout football and baseball player. He attended the University of Mississippi where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. His lifelong love affair with all things Ole Miss, from tailgating in the Grove to watching all Rebel sports on TV, were happy times in his life. He married the love of his life, Phonekeo “Pon” DouangPraseut, of Laotian heritage, on August 31, l996. They both were employed at Vanelli’s Restaurant at the time, eventually rising to the position of co-general manager, she by day and he by night. They met and made many wonderful friends through this venue. To this union were born two beautiful children, Drew and Madison. John had a magnetic, vivacious personality, was a super encourager and gave 110 % effort to every project he took on. He enjoyed watching Drew play sports including the Tupelo Rangers team, and Madison and her basketball playing days at Tupelo High School, visiting with family and friends and squeezing every beautiful moment out of life possible. After Vanelli’s was destroyed in the tornado, John spent the remainder of his working life in the hospitality industry working at Wingate as front desk manager and for Best Western Plus as night auditor. John influenced many people with his generous heart and spirit and lived simply but joyfully his whole life. He will be missed by family and friends.
A service celebrating his life and times will be held at 6 PM Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Rev. Emily Stanford and Pastors Trey Wyatt and Sims Meredith officiating. Private burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 4 PM-service time Tuesday, April 29, 2025. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming at 6 PM, and will be archived thereafter.
John is survived by his beloved family, his wife, Pon; his children, John Andrew “Drew” Langford and Madison Praseut Langford; his sisters Linda Austin (Bill) and Leslie Card (Dewaine) all of Tupelo; several nieces, nephews and cousins, and his wife’s people whom he loved and all their families.
Memorials may be made to Le Bonheur Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38174. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve their friends.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
